The proposals, announced yesterday, will see British soldiers protected from investigation over their actions on foreign battlefields after 10 years, except in “exceptional circumstances”.

At the time, Ms Morduant said this would put an end to “repeated or unfair investigations”, but added that the protections would not apply to alleged offences in Northern Ireland.

However, speaking later at the Royal United Services Institute in London, she said: “I do think it should cover Northern Ireland … it is a personal priority of mine that we get this resolved and we stop this chilling effect that is claiming veterans who really deserve our care and respect.”

Ms Mordaunt said she had secured agreement from Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley that it would be included in cross-party talks to restore devolution, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

Meanwhile, General Lord Dannatt, a retired senior army officer, said peers in the House of Lords would try to amend the proposed legislation to include Northern Ireland.

Grainne Teggart, human rights group Amnesty International’s campaigns manager for Northern Ireland, said: “All victims of human rights violations – whether they were committed during Northern Ireland’s conflict or any other – have a right to an independent investigation, with the possibility of prosecutions to follow where the evidence leads.

“Any attempts by the UK Government to remove this recourse would be a betrayal of victims’ fundamental right to justice.

“Suggestions from some MPs and Lords that amendments may be added with regards to Northern Ireland undermines confidence in obtaining justice for past human rights violations, and that the UK Government will be an honest broker in establishing mechanisms to deal with the past.”